I just made this hat. I absolutely love how it turned out. I go through spurts of knitting and so I never get to be very good at it because when I decide to knit again I have to re-learn a lot of the stitches. But after all of my trials and errors...and tearing it apart 3 times I finally got it done. It was well worth it. The instructions are very very easy to understand. I will definately be making more of these!

I was looking for an Ear Flap hat when I found your pattern. I had to make it right away...unfortunately I didn't have any 16 inch circular needles. I tried learning the magic loop with my 29 inch needles but it just wasn't working for me. So....what else could I do but make my own needles. It was actually pretty easy to make them out of dowels. I don't think I'll ever buy a metal/plastic pair again!

So...here is my pink hat. Pink just happens to be my favorite color and the brighter the better. This hat was a breeze to make.

I just wanted to say thanks. Just before Christmas I found this tutorial post and used it not only to knit my first hat but I also learned how to knit in the round to make this. I had found patterns online but did not understand them as I had never followed a knitting pattern before.

My 10 yr old wanted one of these hats but we couldn't find the exact colors he wanted. I borrowed some needles from my mom, bought the colors he liked and .....a dozen or so hats later I am a confirmed hat knitting addict.

I am happy you found this pattern useful, VeesMom. I'm glad I wrote it out when I was first learning to read patterns because it makes it easier to understand as a beginner. This was my starting point to everything I've ever knitted. I still use this pattern every time I make a hat -- even if I don't make ear flaps. The concept is the same, you just start by casting on 72 stitches and doing knit two, purl two for five or six rows. I tried to compile photos of hats that I've made. It's good to take photos before giving them away. I wish I had because I can't always remember them. Check out all the different styles I came up with: http://knitnatak.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-classic-ear-flap-hat.html

Really nice ive been searching high and low for this thanks. Now the only problem is my double points and circulars are 8s. Will that be ok if not how do I adjust?

It might take a little tinkering, but it's totally doable. I would either use yarn that is meant for size 9 or 10 needles so the hat will be a bit bulkier or make the size larger in the pattern. Normally I use 72 stitches for my hats on size 9 or 10 needles. With size 8 I would probably use 80 stitches and if it's too big, give it to a guy and try again. That's why I love knitting hats. They don't take incredibly long to make so if it doesn't turn out right you can always make another.